Principal Engineer, Pre Commissioning Ma'aden Aluminium Company (MAC)

Job Purpose

The Principal Engineer Pre-commissioning will play a critical role in the successful execution of Maaden s mega industrial projects, focusing on the construction and pre-commissioning phases. The candidate will oversee and provide technical leadership on all aspects of site management, from systems preparation to equipment pre-commissioning, ensuring the highest quality standards, adherence to schedule, and strict compliance with safety protocols.

This position requires an in-depth understanding of large-scale industrial pre-commissioning methodologies, contract management, and pre-commissioning activities, ensuring that all project milestones are met according to Maaden s standards. The candidate will serve as the technical leader in resolving on-site pre-commissioning challenges, managing contractor relationships, and ensuring effective project execution while promoting a culture of continuous improvement and safety excellence. Additionally, the candidate will provide mentorship to pre-commissioning teams, collaborate with other functions such as engineering and procurement, and ensure seamless transitions between construction and commissioning phases.

Key Accountabilities

1. Project Scope Development

• Assists in developing project proposal that includes defining project pre-commissioning work scope and schedule requirements.
• Establishes the work scope, prepares the budget and schedules, plans the work, provides technical direction, and reports the work status relative to Pre-Commissioning.

2. Pre-commissioning & Execution

• Participate in construction activities, pre-commissioning, commissioning, and functions test activities for the new projects.
• Assists in the plan preparation, acceptance testing, and evaluation of field conditions, design changes, progress evaluations and reports.
• Follows up and inspects the construction progress of assigned projects assuring conformance with design specifications, codes and standards, recommends or confirms design changes material and equipment substitutes.

3. Assessment & Evaluation

• Managing overall pre-commissioning activities required to bring the project from Construction Completion to Mechanical Completion.
• Identification of manpower requirements, tools, systems and mobilization.
• Procedures associated with Pre-Commissioning activities are rolled out and adopted by the Pre-Commissioning Team.

4. Planning and Scheduling

• Plans, schedules, and provides work direction as required for preparation designs, possesses reports, correspondence and related data and assures the efficiency, adequacy and conformance of overall objectives of all phases of engineering problems.

5. Data Collection

• Formulates the design basis by collecting, analyzing Process information and data related to operating requirements, process, economic considerations, and such other pertinent factors

6. Digitalization

• Knowledge about the latest digitalization tools and techniques in project management pre-commissioning management as well as Turnover and Handover management.

Skills:

• Technical Proficiency: Expert in project management tools (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project, BIM, AutoCAD).
• Certifications: PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification.
• Safety Leadership: Strong understanding of HSE requirements and safety management systems (e.g., OSHA, NEBOSH certifications).
• Risk & Change Management: Experience in managing pre-commissioning risks and leading change management processes on large-scale projects.
• Change & Variations: Extensive experience in managing variations, change orders, and contractor negotiations, ensuring minimal disruption to project timelines and budgets.
• Contract & Claims Management: Proficiency in managing complex EPC and FIDIC contracts, with strong negotiation and claims resolution skills.
• Communication & Negotiation: Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead high-level discussions and negotiations.
• Cultural Adaptability: Experience working in multicultural environments, with specific familiarity with Middle Eastern project practices and regulations.
• Knowledge of reading and using project control tools (Primavera, MS Project, MS Office, etc.).